FARMERS

Dragsmith — Barron, WI

We grow approximately 30 acres of certified organic produce that we market, along with Bison, Elk, Lamb, Honey, Maple Syrup and many other products from neighboring farms, at our on farm store and greenhouses; some of the finest farmers markets, restaurants and food co-ops in Minnesota and Wisconsin year around.

The Beeler story began way back in 1846 when our great-great Grandpa Fred emigrated from Germany and settled in the gently rolling hills of Madison County, Iowa. On his farmstead Grandpa began raising pigs. Grandpa Beeler’s agricultural endeavors met success when he loaded his provisions into his horse drawn wagon and left Truro, Iowa, headed for Denver, Colorado. Six generations later, we’re proud to say, our family is still carrying on Grandpa’s legacy of raising and marketing pork products.

When Dale Peterson and his wife, Fern, first started growing turkeys on their Cannon Falls farm, they did it the only way they knew how — without shortcuts. 75 years and three generations later, that philosophy hasn’t changed. We take pride in growing turkeys the way both our farm’s namesakes and nature intended. Without the use of antibiotics or artificial growth promotants. Free-range during the warmer months. Fed their natural diet of grains, vitamins and minerals from a local feed mill. And processed-naturally, without additives. And as shopkeepers, we seek out like-minded farmers and food producers using similar practices to stock our on-farm market. Real local food from real sustainable sources. We believe that if you’re going to do something, do it the right way.

Pastures A Plenty Farm is home to a hog farrow to finish operation as well as free range chickens and a seasonal cattle grazing business. Our pork is available at several Twin Cities food co-ops and also at local restaurants.

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Riverbed Farm — Delano, MN

Riverbend Farm is an organic vegetable farm that provides produce to a CSA, restaurants, food co-ops, and schools

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Peterson Craftsman Meats —Oceola, WI

Peterson Craftsman Meats is a family operation raising and procuring local, heritage-bred livestock.

Our family started out milking cows and raising crops on a farmstead near Deronda, Wisc., in the 1930s. We continued to milk until the 1960s - and added land near Dresser and East Farmington, Wisc., as the family grew. In 1969, we diversified into cattle, pigs, and broiler chickens. We began to direct-market our product to neighboring families through local butchers.

Local Brews

Fulton Brewery — Minneapolis, MN

When we founded Fulton in 2009, we were homebrewing out of a South Minneapolis garage and contract brewing at a small Wisconsin brewery. Our dream was to build a real Minneapolis brewery of our own in the next 5-10 years, and quit our day jobs along the way. We never guessed we’d build two Minneapolis breweries in three years. Looks like being wrong can sometimes be awesome.

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Bad Weather Brewing — St. Paul, MN

Bad Weather Brewing produces ales that are Untethered and Unpredictable, just like the weather here in Minnesota. The lineup of beers will be constantly changing with fun and unique brews that capture the spirit of the season. With a flagship beer to keep them anchored, an emphasis will be placed on the seasonal beer selection, coming and going as unpredictably as the next thunderstorm.

It started when Laura asked John, then an enthusiastic home brewer, if there are brown ales, red ales, even blond ales—why not a brunette ale? With that spark, John developed his signature wild rice brown ale, the Wild Brunette. Before long, he had to expand his home brew setup because friends were drinking all his beer, eventually opening a beloved neighborhood brew pub. When demand there outgrew supply, the full brewery and tap room in Wisconsin was the next logical step.

Loon Juice — Spring Valley, MN Despite our name, Loon Juice contains zero traces of loon. Because that would be gross. Instead, all of our cans contain the perfect combination of nature and fun—two things we can all agree on.

ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING LOCAL AND ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

Alliance for Sustainability

We’re here to help you learn about, and live a more sustainable lifestyle. Through our programs and outreach, the Alliance has mobilized thousands of citizens and conscious consumers, congregations and communities to move toward sustainability.

Land Stewardship Project

The mission of the Land Stewardship Project is to foster an ethic of stewardship for farmland, to promote sustainable agriculture and to develop sustainable communities.

The purpose of MISA is to bring together the diverse interests of the agricultural community with interests from across the University community in a cooperative effort to develop and promote sustainable agriculture in Minnesota and beyond

The purpose of MISA is to bring together the diverse interests of the agricultural community with interests from across the University community in a cooperative effort to develop and promote sustainable agriculture in Minnesota and beyond

In the mid-1980s, family farmers across America were in the fight of their lives. Prices had dropped below the cost of production. Family farmers were told they were inefficient and they had to either get big or get out. Deeply flawed national and international policies were the root cause of the crisis. A galvanizing effort to save the family farm helped spawn the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP). In 1986, IATP began documenting the underlying causes of America's rural crisis and proposing policies that would benefit farmers, consumers, rural communities and the environment.

Increasing numbers of Minnesotans recognize that a transition to a more sustainable society is needed if we are to leave a healthy natural environment, a prosperous economy and vibrant communities for future generations. Many individuals and organizations throughout the state are working toward sustainability in areas as diverse as agriculture, waste management, energy, manufacturing, retail, urban planning, economic development, policy, housing, forestry, education, land use and transportation. The goal of MnSCN and their website is to encourage networking, information exchange, and better access to assistance. This network consists of an even mix of over 3,000 individuals, non-profit organizations, businesses, local governments, educational institutions, and other organizations in Minnesota (and bordering areas) who are interested in moving toward sustainability.